Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-11-05
CLOSING THE CIVIL WAR.
The Last Charge Was On "a Brandy
Barrel and the Last Shot Was Over 1t.

The Last Charge Was on ~ Brandy
Barrel and the Last Shot Was Over 1t.
The man who claims to have ordered
the last shot fired on the Confederate size
during the late un~pleasantness is Mr..
A. b. Faircloth, of Camilla, Ga, a gentle
man as modest as he is brave. The incl
lent was told us by Capt. ID. II. Sanders,
an old comrade in arms Of Mr.. Faircloth,
and forms a unique feature in the I'M
written history Of the great struggle. Mr..
Faircloth belonged to Company G, Second
Georgia cavalry.
Lee had surrendered. Johnston had
surrendered. Only Kirby Smith remained
at the head Of armed resistance. The
C%onfederacy was in its death throes.
Wheeler determined not to surrender his
men, but to force his way across the coun-
try TO join Smith west Of the Mississippi.
To this end he procured the removal Of
his command from Johnston's army, and
started upon one of the most hazardous
retreats in the annals of war. While
everywhere Confederate troops were
grounding their arms, taking the oath Of
ment and returning to their homes, this
little band under their gallant leader re-
fused to lower the stars and bars.
Wheeler's bold movement was kept a
profound secret, known only to his own
men and Gen. Johnston. All thought that
the war was over. The Federals came
freely into the lines of their late foes, and
there was a general intermingling of the
blue and gray" 1t fell to the lot of
Company G to guard Wheeler's rear. A
barrel OF brandy was discovered just inside
the reserve picket line, and those old
veterans, with true soldierly instinct, soon
tapped 1t and were fast getting into a
hilarious condition. The lieutenant in
command Of the picket guards was in q
short time unable TO distinguish a Con-
federate from a "Yank," and was relieved
by Mr.. Faircloth, the orderly sergeant.
The aroma Of that brandy was waited to
the o!factories of the Union soldiers, and
soon a troop Of cavalry was seen coming
at a headlong charge upon that barrel.
Sergt. Faircloth Obeyed the orders of
his chief, and the dashing squadron was
received with a volley from their picket
line. They were dumfounded, and with
ont returning the fire showed a white flag.
The sergeant advanced TO parley with the
bearer of the flag of truce.
"What the deuce did you fire for? Don't
you know the war is over?' This was
jerked out by the spokesman on the other
side.
II obeyed orders" calmly replied the
sergeant. n troops can pass my line"
But, man, Johnston has surrendered,
and the war is over. Come. let us pass,
we want to taste that brandy over there"
III must carry out my orders" stoutly
maintained Sergt. Faircloth, ''and if your
men advance they will be fired upon.
But" he added, II I'm expecting orders
calling TO my men every minute, and If
you will wait perhaps you may get a drop
Of the brandy"
Strange TO say the troop waited, and
the order came. Then there was q grand
rush for TIC tarrel-when johnny Reb"
and "Yank" got on a drunk together.
This was the last shot fired in the late
war, and the incident, now published for
the first time, will be read with interest
by those who participated in the novel
scene, as we'll as the general public. To
complete the story it only remains to tell
that, acting under the advice Of Johnston,
Wheeler gave over his daring attempt,
and, turning over his men to the brigade,
regimental and company commanders to
act as they saw ut, gathered about him a
few bold spirits, and started to join the
head Of the Confederacy in his effort to
escape his pursuers Greensboro Herald.